Our Top 10 Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Wedding Ideas

Weddings can be wasteful. From food waste to decorations that only get used once before being tossed in the trash, even small weddings can negatively impact the environment.

It used to be that you had to choose between a beautiful wedding and an environmentally friendly wedding, but that is no longer the case today. You can have stunning décor, delicious food, and gorgeous fashion while lessening your impact on the environment.

Buffet Line With Self-Serve Paella: Selected Venues, Pampas Grass and Gypsophila Aisle Décor: Bob Gail, Simple Table Settings With a Single Plate: Nashville Bride Guide, Jars of Honey Wedding Favors: Martha Stewart

In-Season, Local Flowers

Getting rid of flowers altogether can be an eco-friendly choice, but nothing compares to the beauty of fresh blooms. If you have your heart set on the real thing, you can find environmentally friendly wedding flowers.

Always choose in-season flowers over flowers that are out of season, as out of season flowers are often shipped over long distances. Local flowers are even better as there’s almost no shipping involved. The very best option is to pick flowers yourself.

Reusable Floral Arrangements and Plants

If you’re willing to let go of having real blooms at your wedding, consider reusable floral arrangements. That might mean using silk flowers, but dried arrangements are having a real moment. Think bouquets and arrangements with pampas grass and bunny tails.

One of our favorite eco-friendly wedding ideas involves using potted plants. They can be enjoyed long after your wedding day is over.

Have a Plan For Leftovers

Food waste can be a big problem at weddings. Consider a plated dinner instead of a buffet to reduce the amount of leftovers.

Whether you have a plated dinner or a buffet, ask your caterer if they would be willing to box up leftovers. You can serve them for lunch the next day or let guests take them home.

If you don’t want to deal with leftovers at all, work with a caterer who donates leftovers to homeless shelters and food banks.

Edible Favors

Many couples are forgoing favors altogether because they are expensive, many guests don’t take them home, and most favors end up in the garbage. If you still love the idea of having favors, choose environmentally friendly wedding favors by choosing edible favors.

While guests will appreciate a midnight snack or a treat in the morning, other edible favors, like honey and jam, can be enjoyed long after your wedding day is over.

Reusable Table Settings

Using environmentally friendly wedding china doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a fortune on charger plates and glasses. Instead, reuse as much of the table setting as you can.

Ask your caterer if they have plates, silverware, and cups you can use. Some venues will also provide you with access to dishes. If not, consider something like acrylic plates that are affordable to buy but can be reused again and again.

Bride and Groom Next to a Pinwheel Garden Art Installation: Piper and Muse, Eco-Friendly Lavender Wedding Confetti: Easy Weddings, Bride With Bridesmaids in Mismatched Dresses: Green Wedding Shoes, Flower Arrangement in a Mercury Glass Compote Vase: United With Love

Biodegradable Confetti

Confetti is a fun way to celebrate the bride and groom after the ceremony and as they leave the reception. Instead of using rice or traditional glitter, try environmentally friendly wedding confetti.

There are a lot of eco-friendly things to throw at a wedding that include:

• Lavender buds
• Rose petals
• Fresh herbs
• Micro flowers
• Birdseed
• Biodegradable glitter

Eco-Conscious Wedding Gown Designers

When searching for environmentally friendly wedding dresses, some brides turn to vintage dresses. You can even rent your wedding dress! But, what if you want a new dress that’s all your own?

Search for an eco-conscious designer. They use organic materials, recycled fabrics, and are mindful about the supply chain so you can feel good about your gown.

Re-Wearable Bridesmaid Dresses

It’s not just the bride’s dress you have to consider if you’re searching for sustainable wedding ideas. Bridesmaid dresses can cause a lot of trouble because most bridesmaids only wear their dress once.

Let your bridesmaids pick out their own dresses. That way they are able to pick something that they are more likely to wear again in the future.

Venue With Built-In Décor

Decorations can be expensive. Because so many decorations end up in the garbage, they aren’t very eco-friendly either. Skip the hassle altogether and search for a venue with built-in décor.

If you have your wedding in a garden, you don’t have to worry about flowers. If you have your wedding in a historic Victorian home, you don’t have to worry about creating a romantic ambiance. Choose the right setting and you may not have to buy decorations at all.

Rent or Reuse Decorations

Not every venue offers built-in décor. For example, barn weddings can be stunning, but they often require a little zhooshing-up. In this case, environmentally friendly wedding decorations involve renting or reusing items.

You could rent an arch frame that can be covered in flowers. Instead of buying regular, clear glass vases, you might incorporate compote vases into your centerpiece. You’re more likely to reuse them later and they have a higher resale value than standard vases.

Planning an environmentally friendly wedding doesn’t mean you have to compromise. You can still wear a gorgeous gown, eat delicious food, and surround yourself with beautiful flowers and décor when you follow the tips on this list.